Colorado State defensive line trying to make it add up

Rams' defensive front expects better play

By Mike Brohard Sports Editor

Posted:
08/16/2013 10:38:54 PM MDT

Colorado State University defensive lineman Eli Edwards, front, works on a drill during practice. The defensive front plans on more bodies and bigger bodies adding up to good things on the field.
(STEVE STONER)

FORT COLLINS -- By the end of his first fall camp, Colorado State coach Jim McElwain loved his linebackers, and felt his secondary could be a strength for the team.

But the end of the season, the Rams had a defense that gave up too many yards on the ground (202.4 per game) and too many points (30.3). And in the end, much of the blame fell on the shoulders of the defensive line, and that's where all eyes are looking as the 2013 season begins.

"I don't want to put too much on the D-line," CSU co-defensive coordinator Marty English said. "There are still 11 guys out there and we all have our fits, whether it is run or what we are expecting out of them from the pass, but it's like both sides of the ball. It all clicks up front. When the front is doing a great job, it helps everyone."

The approach has been subtraction from the bottom line via addition.

The Rams have added more bodies to the position. They've added strength and weight to them, and they've added the knowledge necessary to try to make it all work.

"We want the D-line to stand out a lot, because this year we're going to have a lot of power teams, a lot of big guys we have to go against," Eli Edwards said. "We want to make sure we become an asset to the team. It's something we're going to be working on, and we feel good about this year."

Like the season before, Colorado State headed to the junior college ranks for a couple of players. But unlike bringing in Edwards and Calvin Tonga just in time for last fall, Terry Jackson and LaRyan King were on campus for spring ball, making their transition much smoother.

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In addition, Justin Hansen and Johnny Schupp were both brought over from the offensive side of the ball to bolster the troops.

As far as Edwards -- who said he is feeling much more comfortable in the spring with a year under his belt -- is concerned, the more the merrier.

"Oh man, anybody who is willing to come in and help out, I'm all for it," Edwards said. "It's good to see the young guys come in and get reps, because there are only three seniors. By the time we leave, we need leaders to step up. The best things we can do is watch those guys grow and become better D-linemen we can trust on the field."

The Rams are trusting the performance is much better this year. Coaches have said Shaquil Barrett wasn't used to full effect last season in part because he was helping to fill in gaps up front. So far this camp, improvement can be measured, though McElwain said there is still more work to do judging from Tuesday's first scrimmage.

"I thought there were times they didn't quite strike and butt like we're doing, but we got more of that than we have had, and I think the play of that is really going to help us," he said. "They've really transitioned from a run play to a pass rusher, which obviously freed up a couple of other guys to get some sacks, and that's really important."

So are the extra bodies. There just weren't enough to go around last year McElwain said, especially when factoring in the up-tempo offenses that are in vogue these days. In one game last year, Lanston Tanyi played around 114 snaps, which is just too much. He'd feel more comfortable with at least nine in the rotation, and would love to see 12, but he's not about to play the numbers game quite yet about where that sits.

Then again, it's not just about the numbers, but who is ready to play. Some of the younger set, including Joe Kawulok and even true freshman Austin Berk, are more prepared. Not just because they are bigger, but because they're smarter.

Curtis Wilson definitely feels better about the numbers, and he's seen the progression in camp.

"We have enough to win some ball games," he said. "The second time going through fall camp, you see a lot of guys really starting to catch on. When guys know their assignments, they're physically able to translate it into plays and that gives us depth."

So while the Rams keep pushing the numbers at the spot, co-defensive coordinator Al Simmons said using their strengths to optimum effect can help make a difference.

Strength and size have been added, and so have players, so all that's left is to keep progressing.

"I think we have gotten bigger and stronger by getting those guys transferring in here early," Simmons said. "I just think our strength and bulk and how much we have gained in terms of weight, will allow us to be better against the run. We are changing some things up with some calls and alignments and how we will play those guys in relation to blocking schemes, but those guys are getting an understanding of what we are going to do. We are more athletic and we have more depth, so we just have to keep pushing forward."

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